Experts: Give kids a chance to talk about Conn. tragedy

10:41 AM,
Dec. 15, 2012

A woman comforts a young girl during a vigil service for victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting, Friday, Dec. 14, 2012, at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church in Newtown, Conn. (AP Photo/Andrew Gombert, Pool)

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As horrifying as Friday's Connecticut school shooting was, psychologists say, parents must assume that their children have heard something about it and will want to discuss the tragedy or be assured that they are safe.

"We have to tell our kids that sometimes horrible things happen and people do horrible things, but that there are adults around who will always try to keep them safe," said Jennifer Walker, a school psychologist and co-president of the Rockland County Psychological Society. "I'm sick about it myself. But we can't avoid it. We have to help kids express their feelings and ...